Do I Need a Lawyer for Adoption in Florida?
If you are considering adoption for your unborn child, you may be thinking about various aspects of the process and whether you need to hire an adoption lawyer. In short, you as the birth mother are not required to have your own lawyer, but if you feel you need representation, you certainly may hire an attorney. Lisa Paige Glass is an attorney, licensed by the Florida Bar Association, who predominantly focuses on Florida adoption law. Lisa represents adoptive parents but works closely with the birth parents as well. A passionate and caring attorney, Lisa always has the best interest in mind for all parties involved. In this article, we will explore what an adoption attorney does and when you may need to hire your own representation to complete an adoption.
The Role of an Adoption Lawyer
As an adoption lawyer in Florida, Lisa Paige Glass’ role is to assist individuals or couples in adopting a child who is not biologically theirs. Lisa always interviews both the birth mothers and adoptive parents to find the best match for all parties involved. Other roles of an adoption attorney include filing the necessary paperwork, facilitating communication between involved parties, and, when needed, representing the adoptive parents in court.
Adoption and Consent
As the birth mother in a non-contested private adoption, you have to provide written consent for termination of your parental rights in order for the adoption to eventually be finalized in favor of the adoptive parents. You may request certain involvement in the child’s life, such as yearly updates with letters and photos. Your requests must be discussed with the adoption attorney. As mentioned previously, Lisa Paige Glass has all parties’ best interests in mind and will match birth mothers and adoptive parents based on factors including desired future involvement. If you are the birth mother, you may desire your own legal representation to review the adoption paperwork, including the consent to adoption, on your behalf, but it is not a requirement.
Adoption Eligibility
Generally speaking, legal representation is not required to determine eligibility for adoption. In fact, guidelines on who can adopt have become more inclusive in recent years. Single adults and married couples are legally able to adopt regardless of sexual orientation. Adoption attorneys are also not allowed to discriminate against potential adoptive parents due to a physical disability unless it is determined that the disability would prevent the individual from caring for the child effectively.
Depending upon each birth mother’s unique situation, sometimes other people, including the birth father or the birth mother’s husband (regardless of whether the husband is the biological father), must be notified of or consent to the adoption proceedings. Even in cases such as this, many birth mothers choose not to hire independent counsel, especially if everyone is in agreement with the adoption plan. However, as each adoption is different, please contact Lisa Paige Glass, Esq. to determine who, if anyone, must be notified of your adoption plan. If someone who must be notified of the adoption proceeding does not consent to the adoption (such as if the birth father wants to parent the child), this is something that Lisa Paige Glass, Esq. would discuss with you in detail and, depending on the facts of your specific case, may be an instance where you might want to have legal counsel.
Adoption Law is a sensitive area of legal practice that requires patience and understanding. Couples and individuals looking to adopt through private adoption should consider completing their adoption via a lawyer who is experienced in adoption law, such as Lisa Paige Glass. In most cases, birth mothers do not require their own lawyer in order for a successful adoption to occur. However, Lisa is happy to work with your legal representative, if you so choose. If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and you are looking to find a loving adoptive home for the child, call Glass Law Office at (561) 614-6060.